SHIFTVET partners meet in Riga to advance digital transformation in VET for the woodworking sector.
On 6 and 7 May 2026, the partners of the SHIFTVET project gathered in Riga, Latvia, for the project’s second Transnational Project Meeting, hosted by RMMT (Rīgas Mākslas un mediju tehnikums).
The meeting brought together representatives from CETEM, JLCP, ASLAM, and RMMT to review the progress achieved so far and coordinate the next steps of the project, which focuses on promoting the digital transformation of vocational education and training in the wood and furniture sector.
During the first day, partners reviewed the work completed within Activity 1 and Activity 2, paying special attention to the development and compilation of practical exercises related to CNC machining, 3D printing, and 3D scanning technologies. The consortium also discussed the remaining activities to be completed before the end of the project and coordinated upcoming practical classes and pilot activities that will take place in each partner institution over the coming months.
One of the highlights of the meeting was the workshop led by CETEM, where newly developed exercises were presented to teachers and students from RMMT’s woodworking department. The session focused on how these digital technologies can be integrated into vocational training environments and how the exercises can be implemented in the classroom.
In addition to the technical discussions, the meeting also included a tour of RMMT’s facilities. Partners had the opportunity to visit the woodworking department, learn about the teaching methodologies used at the centre, and see demonstrations of CNC machinery and 3D printers currently used by students and staff.
The second day was dedicated to several study visits connected to the project’s themes and practical applications of digital manufacturing technologies in the woodworking sector. The consortium first visited Ropaži Church, where students from the RMMT woodworking programme participated in restoration works using CNC technology combined with traditional craftsmanship techniques. Afterwards, partners visited Kokapstrādes, one of Latvia’s leading woodworking companies, where they learned about the full production process and explored the scanning and CNC technologies used in industrial manufacturing. The final visit took place at Lauteres Muiža, a historic mansion where RMMT students have been involved in wooden furniture restoration activities.
The meeting also served to review quality assurance activities, dissemination efforts, and upcoming project tasks. Partners reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the visibility of SHIFTVET and continuing collaboration with external VET centres to collect feedback and maximise the project’s impact.
The SHIFTVET consortium would like to thank RMMT for hosting the meeting and all participants for their active collaboration and contributions throughout these productive two days in Riga.
“Non scholae, sed vitae discimus”
